Perceived weight stigma in healthcare settings among adults living with obesity: A cross‐sectional investigation of the relationship with patient characteristics and person‐centred care

Abstract Introduction Patients living with obesity often experience weight stigma in healthcare settings, which has worrying consequences for their healthcare experiences. This cross‐sectional study aimed to: (1) provide an overview of stigmatising experiences in healthcare settings reported by adul...

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Main Authors: Paige I. Crompvoets, Anna P. Nieboer, Elisabeth F. C. vanRossum, Jane M. Cramm
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-02-01
Series:Health Expectations
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13954
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author Paige I. Crompvoets
Anna P. Nieboer
Elisabeth F. C. vanRossum
Jane M. Cramm
author_facet Paige I. Crompvoets
Anna P. Nieboer
Elisabeth F. C. vanRossum
Jane M. Cramm
author_sort Paige I. Crompvoets
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Introduction Patients living with obesity often experience weight stigma in healthcare settings, which has worrying consequences for their healthcare experiences. This cross‐sectional study aimed to: (1) provide an overview of stigmatising experiences in healthcare settings reported by adults living with varying classes of obesity, (2) identify associations among patient characteristics and perceived weight stigma and (3) investigate the association between perceived weight stigma and person‐centred care (PCC). Methods Dutch adults living with obesity classes I (body mass index [BMI]: 30 to <35 kg/m2; n = 426), II (BMI: 35 to <40 kg/m2; n = 124) and III (BMI: ≥40 kg/m2; n = 40) completed measures of perceived weight stigma in healthcare settings and PCC. Descriptive, correlational and multivariate analyses were conducted. Results Of patients living with classes I, II and III obesity, 41%, 59% and 80%, respectively reported experiences of weight stigma in healthcare settings. Younger age, greater obesity severity and the presence of chronic illnesses were associated with greater perceived weight stigma. Greater perceived weight stigma was associated with lower PCC. Conclusion The results of this study emphasise the significant role of weight stigma in the healthcare experiences of patients living with obesity. Reducing weight stigma is expected to improve PCC and the overall quality of care for these patients. Minimising weight stigma will require efforts across various healthcare domains, including increasing awareness among healthcare professionals about sensitive communication in weight‐related discussions. Patient Contribution Our sample consisted of patients living with obesity. Additionally, patients were involved in the pilot testing and refinement of the PCC instrument.
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spelling doaj-art-35dd7d74a0304e3ebbda2d2f7c0fa6dd2025-08-23T11:53:04ZengWileyHealth Expectations1369-65131369-76252024-02-01271n/an/a10.1111/hex.13954Perceived weight stigma in healthcare settings among adults living with obesity: A cross‐sectional investigation of the relationship with patient characteristics and person‐centred carePaige I. Crompvoets0Anna P. Nieboer1Elisabeth F. C. vanRossum2Jane M. Cramm3Department of Socio‐Medical Sciences Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam Rotterdam The NetherlandsDepartment of Socio‐Medical Sciences Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam Rotterdam The NetherlandsDepartment of Internal Medicine Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam Rotterdam The NetherlandsDepartment of Socio‐Medical Sciences Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam Rotterdam The NetherlandsAbstract Introduction Patients living with obesity often experience weight stigma in healthcare settings, which has worrying consequences for their healthcare experiences. This cross‐sectional study aimed to: (1) provide an overview of stigmatising experiences in healthcare settings reported by adults living with varying classes of obesity, (2) identify associations among patient characteristics and perceived weight stigma and (3) investigate the association between perceived weight stigma and person‐centred care (PCC). Methods Dutch adults living with obesity classes I (body mass index [BMI]: 30 to <35 kg/m2; n = 426), II (BMI: 35 to <40 kg/m2; n = 124) and III (BMI: ≥40 kg/m2; n = 40) completed measures of perceived weight stigma in healthcare settings and PCC. Descriptive, correlational and multivariate analyses were conducted. Results Of patients living with classes I, II and III obesity, 41%, 59% and 80%, respectively reported experiences of weight stigma in healthcare settings. Younger age, greater obesity severity and the presence of chronic illnesses were associated with greater perceived weight stigma. Greater perceived weight stigma was associated with lower PCC. Conclusion The results of this study emphasise the significant role of weight stigma in the healthcare experiences of patients living with obesity. Reducing weight stigma is expected to improve PCC and the overall quality of care for these patients. Minimising weight stigma will require efforts across various healthcare domains, including increasing awareness among healthcare professionals about sensitive communication in weight‐related discussions. Patient Contribution Our sample consisted of patients living with obesity. Additionally, patients were involved in the pilot testing and refinement of the PCC instrument.https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13954obesityperson‐centred careweight stigma
spellingShingle Paige I. Crompvoets
Anna P. Nieboer
Elisabeth F. C. vanRossum
Jane M. Cramm
Perceived weight stigma in healthcare settings among adults living with obesity: A cross‐sectional investigation of the relationship with patient characteristics and person‐centred care
Health Expectations
obesity
person‐centred care
weight stigma
title Perceived weight stigma in healthcare settings among adults living with obesity: A cross‐sectional investigation of the relationship with patient characteristics and person‐centred care
title_full Perceived weight stigma in healthcare settings among adults living with obesity: A cross‐sectional investigation of the relationship with patient characteristics and person‐centred care
title_fullStr Perceived weight stigma in healthcare settings among adults living with obesity: A cross‐sectional investigation of the relationship with patient characteristics and person‐centred care
title_full_unstemmed Perceived weight stigma in healthcare settings among adults living with obesity: A cross‐sectional investigation of the relationship with patient characteristics and person‐centred care
title_short Perceived weight stigma in healthcare settings among adults living with obesity: A cross‐sectional investigation of the relationship with patient characteristics and person‐centred care
title_sort perceived weight stigma in healthcare settings among adults living with obesity a cross sectional investigation of the relationship with patient characteristics and person centred care
topic obesity
person‐centred care
weight stigma
url https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13954
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